This expansion added a plethora of good options to TI3 which made the game much more customizable and fun. If you want a shorted game the simulated early turns really help. A longer game? Try 8 players and a huge galaxy.

This expansion is a must have for any Twilight Imperium fan. The new strategy cards fix some of the problems in the original game, and the new races are a blast. You get new planet tiles and enough units for 2 more people (8 player game!). I no longer play TI without the expansion.

Of the two expansions, Shattered Empire is the one to have. With extra pieces for two more players, four new races, and a multitude of new options this complements the base game perfectly. Includes the alternate set of Strategy Cards that many feel "fix" the game. This expansion is essential for serious groups.

I hate how the base game do not work. And this expansion seems to fix most of the problems. But the cost! This almost doubles the price. And that is in order to get what I wanted from the base game. This is how the base game should have been! The horror. The angst. But I will probably cave in and get it sometime...

Update: I gave in...

Update: I traded it away...

Update: I got my old copy back...

Update: We have now played once with this expansion. The game is a lot better. Now all of us want to play again. A pity it takes such a long time.

Update: Played twice with expansion. Fantastic game! But it takes too long for our group to ever finish a full game. But fun anyway!